Same/Difference (The Depth of Emotion #4)

by D. D. Lorenzo

  Hopefully she felt the same.

  Paige lifted her head and kissed him gently on the cheek. Her fingers brushed against his hair. She rested her forehead against his and when she looked down she saw the makeup stains on her shirt. When she tried to brush them away the remnants smeared. She frowned.

  “Looks like I made a mess.” Her nose was stuffy and her eyes were red. “I’ll be right back. I need to clean up.”

  She walked down the hallway toward the bedroom and stopped in the bathroom before she changed her shirt. He listened to the distinct sounds of running water and her nose being blown. Following the sounds, he caught a glimpse of her shoulder. He trailed behind. As she changed, he leaned against the doorframe, admiring the view. Sensing his presence, she turned around. A moonlit glow illuminated her face. The magnetic force that drew him to her was undeniable. Her exposed vulnerability was a gift and he felt the sudden urge to force away every painful memory she carried.

  By loving her.

  He took a few short steps and crushed her to him. She was forced to stand on tiptoes to meet his lips. One taste and he was addicted all over again. Her perfume drugged him and made him crave every inch of her. His fingers went through the mass of curls and he cupped her head. He kissed her deeply as his tongue sought entry. He savored her velvety feel. Eagerly, he roamed down her neck and over her curves and she sighed. He enjoyed the sweet sensation of her body after having been denied it for so long. She pressed against him, encouraging him to explore.

  Falcon wanted her so badly he was like a man half starved. He kissed her neck, his lips searing her with molten heat as he moved toward the hollow of her throat. Her pulse beat against his tongue and he kissed his way down, following the fullness of her breasts. His hands lingered on her skin, pressing down as he slid the straps over her shoulders. He reached behind her and made small work of unhooking the clasp. The lacey cups tumbled gently down, revealing tips that were firm and erect. They demanded his attention and he took pleasure in teasing them with his thumbs. Small gasps escaped her and her head fell back. She looked like a beautiful piece of fine art as her back bowed and arched He dug his fingers into her hips, wanting her so badly that it tested his control. But after so many months apart Falcon refused to be rushed. Although she may have had other sexual experiences, he was confident that tonight would be her first time making love. He had lain awake many nights coming to conclusions and making decisions. This was worth fighting for. He was determined that her demons wouldn’t stand a chance against them both.

  Paige fell back onto the bed. She looked like a Grecian goddess in the night’s light. Her hair fully fanned out on a pillow of blue was one of the prettiest sights he’d ever seen. He cupped her breast with eager hands and adoringly kissed them. One was perfect and one was scarred. He loved them equally, laving his tongue over each tight point. Her gasps turned to moans and the graduation aroused him like never before.

  Hooking his thumbs inside the band of her sheer panties, he slid them slowly over her hips. He teased her thighs with feather-like strokes and kissed all the way down to her slender ankles. Pausing only long enough to see the passion in her expression, he continued, this time burning her with kisses all the way back up to her hips. She sucked in a breath as his lips touched the skin below her navel. He controlled and worshipped her as he surrendered on his knees to her loveliness. His hot breath fell on her skin and he craved to taste her. Her fingers sought to grip his hair but he reached up and took her wrists captive. He moved slightly so she could see his face and his expression gave her a warning that, before the night was over, her body and her scars would surrender to his desire.

  He touched the marred flesh and gauged her reaction. With each kiss she relinquished a little more of her bruised heart. Her body responded to his touch with lust and passion, giving him the answers that he sought. Just as her body had healed, so would her heart and he was determined to make her malevolent thoughts his prisoners. His tongue teased and controlled. She responded beautifully with a desire he ached to satisfy. She looked at him, her gaze hot and wanton, and her voice breathless.

  “I want to touch you.”

  He released her wrists, more than eager to feel her hands on him. He enjoyed that she fumbled nervously when she pulled the bottom of his shirt free from his pants. Her hands journeyed underneath and he felt a trail of heat blazed by her fingertips. She paused unsure, her bottom lip quivering as she rested her hand on his heart. He placed his own over hers and pressed it harder into his chest. Their pulses beat in perfect synchronicity. She branded his flesh with her lips, sweetly kissing her way from his chest to his stomach. He closed his eyes and fought the urge to flip her under him and satisfy them both. Instead, when she pushed him on the bed, he surprised her by pulling her down with him.

  She snaked down his body and undid his belt as he watched through narrow slits. She made a show of flipping the leather and metal to each side. He dug his fingers into her flesh as he held her hips. She shook her head and her hair fell seductively over her shoulders and breasts, the brown waves framing the rosy points. Her body whispered what she needed. Shouted what she wanted. His crotch strained the answer to her call. Paige grinned evilly, fully aware of his discomfort as she discovered her own sensuality. She pulled at his remaining garments, disposing of them on the floor. In a claiming stroke, she closed her perfectly manicured fingers around his shaft. He responded like a match to dynamite and, through eyes heavy with lust he saw satisfaction color her expression.

  Paige made a beautiful display as she baited and teased. He felt her longing. Sensed her need. She wanted him to fill her as she silently demanded her release, but he was determined to take her slowly. He wanted to commit each kiss, each touch, and each stroke to her memory. He loved her fierce and determined passion. She was a formidable partner, a savage lover—and he would gladly tear the hurt of past transgressions from her memory.

  Together they stood naked in the ghost of the afternoon rainstorm, clothed only in the shades of shadows. Their bodies danced to the music of measured breaths, keeping pace with the thundering waves. She trembled as he kissed each scar, his fingers raising goose bumps as he traced each one. Her eyes sparkled with wonder. Like diamonds against a gray velvet sky, he cut through her glass-encased pain. They made love in a melody of sensation. Crescendoed in a symphony of eroticism, he buried himself deep inside her. She writhed to the tune of his touch. The beautiful sounds of her impending release turned him as hard as stone. He followed the tune of her body and drove into her deliciously slow. He savored entering each inch of her warmth. Her legs wrapped around his waist, urging him closer as her body took in the full length of him. He teased torturously with strokes that entered powerfully and withdrew wickedly slow. Paige soaked in the intimacy as she lost herself in the sensation of their lovemaking. He enjoyed her heels digging into him while all else fell away except satisfying his need to take her…claim her…mark her.

  “Falcon…”

  With bated breath she called to him and clenched around him as he filled her. As moans caught in her throat, his thrusts became more powerful. Her voice collapsed under a whisper as she surrendered and splintered over the edge. He rode the crest of her undoing. His name from her lips, the flush that warmed her breasts, all joined to undo his control. Her response was so beautiful it slayed him. Like an aphrodisiac bullet, the barrel discharged the heat between them and they exploded as their lust turned to frenzy. His own release gripped him deep down inside and escalated as he savored her surrender. A growl ripped from his chest as she shattered under him. He followed her bliss and detonated with a roar as he emptied himself inside her.

  She was more beautiful than he could have imagined. He stayed inside her, holding her close to him. She barely wiggled her hips against his. She wanted to keep their connection. When she opened her eyes he fell into the chocolaty pools. He brushed the damp hair away from her face. His fingers followed the graceful line where her neck flowed into her should
er. The tender way she turned her cheek into his hand was humbling. She had a rosy flush from their lovemaking and it made him happy to know he’d put it there. She ran her fingers leisurely through his hair, trailing down his jawline and skimming over his lips. He never imagined his heart could feel so full. He didn’t want to spend another day without her, and he sure as hell was never letting her go.

  “Falcon, I…”

  She bit back words that were barely a whisper, but he knew what she wanted to say. She was afraid to be the first to say them because she’d been so hurt in the past.

  “I know.”

  The words caught in his throat as he looked at her with reverence. She amazed him. How she still had the capacity to love after what she’d been through only proved what a fighter she was. This was his wife, his woman, and her turmoil causing him pain.

  The flutter of her lashes caught a tear and he pulled her close.

  “I love you, beautiful girl.”

  He kissed her long and deep and felt her tears bathe her cheeks. She trembled as he held her face in between his hands. Their eyes locked. The connection made him stir and stiffen inside her. He flipped them and held her hips as she rode him slowly. He was determined that she would never go another day without knowing she was loved.

  As he sank with her into an abyss of sexual healing, they got lost in a pleasure neither had ever known. Over and over through the night he filled the vacancy and void in her heart, while his own was now overflowing.

  The morning was abnormally normal. I relaxed in Falcon’s arms to the sound of a flock of seagulls after an afternoon rain. It soothed me. The sound of the surf washed over me, eroding and consoling my concerns. I enjoyed inhaling the pungency of clean salt air while lying in Falcon’s arms. I was obliviously lost in my thoughts. So much had happened in such a short span of time. Did that really matter when everything felt so right?

  I laid my head on his chest and allowed myself the luxury of listening to his heartbeat. The steady rhythm was so intricate and it made me feel a strange sort of peace. Falcon divulged in Vegas that he had never been in a close relationship with a woman. That small bit of knowledge made me happy to know that I shared this intimacy with nobody else.

  I skipped my hand lightly over his chest, barely touching the firm muscle. It gave me a sense of satisfaction to know that he was mine. My love life was always superficial, and though he wasn’t my first in many ways, he was my first in all the ways that counted. This was the intimacy I’d been missing, the love that I craved.

  Mine.

  Finally, I understood what I’ve always seen between my parents. Logical or illogical, I loved this man. Other relationships might have taken years to feel what I feel, but I won’t waste time analyzing. No matter what, it’s there. It was something I was afraid to hope for and I promised myself I would never be that vulnerable to enjoy. Hurt and I were too well acquainted.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  His graveled, morning voice was something I could get used to. It echoed deep in his chest. I never wanted to leave this moment.

  “Good morning.” I lifted my head to look in his eyes.

  “How’d you sleep?” He played with my hair, alternating between stroking my head and playing with the curls between his fingers.

  “Good. You?” He answered by pulling me up for a kiss.

  He released me and cleared his throat. “Coffee?”

  “I’ll go make some.” I got out of bed and wrapped my robe around me. He kissed me on the back of the neck as he made his way into the bathroom.

  I went into the kitchen and picked up my cell. I must have sat it on the counter in there last night. The display showed that Aria called. I listened to the message. She wanted to know if I was okay and wanted me to stop by before Carter and Aimee left. I was about to return her call her when Falcon came in.

  “I need to go to Aria and Declan’s today. Do you want to go?”

  He nodded and went behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled my neck. “I want to feed you first. You didn’t eat much yesterday, did you?”

  I shook my head. “I can make breakfast.”

  “We both can,” he said, against my ear.

  I turned in his arms and wrapped them around his waist. He radiated heat and I leaned against him. My fingertips grazed his naked flesh. He pushed me backward, pinning me between the granite top and his hips. His growing hardness made me feel wanton and bold.

  “If you keep this up we’re going to be late.” He pushed my robe off my shoulders. It fell to the floor where it puddled at my feet. Nipping the sensitive spot where my neck and shoulder met, his lusty voice teased my ear.

  “Punctuality is overrated.”

  Aimee answered the door. “Hey girl. Are you feeling better?”

  I nodded. Falcon stood close behind me.

  “Good. I was worried about you.” She gave me a quick hug. Carter came down the steps and joined her. The four of us walked into the living room.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t called,” I apologized. “Between work, and our sweet little sunshine girl in there, I lose track of time.”

  Aimee agreed, and then offered her own explanation. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I have no excuse for not keeping in touch. I have plenty of time, especially when Carter is busy with work.” She held out her hands, which were obviously lacking a manicure. “I’ve been doing some furniture makeover projects, but I always have time for a phone call. I just lose track of time.” She looked at the two of us and smiled. “Were you ever going to tell us?”

  I was momentarily at a loss for words but Falcon didn’t suffer the same issue. He reassuringly squeezed my hand.

  “We didn’t tell anybody, but we spent a lot of time together in Vegas.” He looked into my eyes while still talking to her and I calmed instantly. He had everything under control. “We wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while.”

  They seemed pleasantly surprised. As Aimee beamed like she’d just won a scavenger hunt, Carter grinned. “I don’t know what the hell happened there but he was a grumpy pain in the ass when he got back. We thought it might have something to do with you.”

  “Me?” I looked at Falcon and teased. “I have nothing to do with his mood.”

  “Yeah. Like I believe that.” Carter cocked his head in the direction of Declan and Aria. “Do they know yet?”

  “No.” We both answered at the same time. Falcon put his arm around my waist and winked at me. “But they’re about to.”

  Carter slapped Falcon on the shoulder as the four of them walked out onto the porch. “You could’ve told me, brother.” He shook his head with a feigned disbelief.

  “Yeah, well, some things are better left unsaid.” He gave Paige a playful look. “And others speak for themselves.”

  “You said you spent time together in Vegas but I’m curious; did this start at the party?” Aimee pressed for details.

  Falcon pulled her to him as he leaned against the post. “It did start at the party. The day we went for a walk.” She looked up into Falcon’s eyes. They twinkled with mischief. “I thought she might be somebody’s little snow bunny by the amount of sweaters she was wearing.”

  Carter laughed. “Paige is nobody’s snow bunny, so don’t get any ideas.”

  “Seriously, I thought there might have been something going on between her and Blake.” He felt her stiffen and he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “While we were in Vegas I was assured that there wasn’t.”

  Paige paled at his disclosure. Aimee noticed.

  “Are you okay?”

  Falcon looked over her shoulder. “She hasn’t eaten yet today. I don’t think she ate much yesterday, either.”

  “Come with me.” Aimee guided Paige away from the men and into the house. “Aria put out the leftover hors d’oeuvres. Let’s get you a few of these.”

  As they made small talk, Paige nibbled at the plate of food Aimee made for her. Then Aimee went to see i
f Aria needed any help, leaving Paige to sit in the living room. As she came out of the kitchen, she passed by Paige and walked toward the porch.

  “Aria said lunch is ready. I’m going to get the guys.”

  Falcon walked over to Paige and the two of them went to the table. It was set buffet style. He handed a plate to her, and then noticed she was still pale.

  “Go ahead over there and sit down. I’ll make a plate for you.”

  Her stomach was in knots and she happily complied. So much had happened since yesterday. By the end of the day, all of her friends would be aware that they were married. Although she was happy about it, it was still a little nerve wracking.

  As she watched Falcon through the doorway, he looked at her and pointed to the different dishes that were being served. He waited by each one to see what she wanted to eat. He laughed at her because the dishes he would have eaten she scrunched her nose at, and the healthier fare that he would have bypassed she wanted to eat. He couldn’t help but wonder where the girl was that he’d been with in Vegas, the one who enjoyed her alcohol and steaks. She probably broke the rules on vacation, just like everyone else. It would be fun to see what other traits she hid.